Your sofa sees a lot of use, which means you'll have to pay for repairs at some point. There are a lot of factors to consider before you invest, such as how old the couch is and how many years it has left. Since cushions are one of the most vulnerable parts of a sofa, it's helpful to know how much it costs to replace them or have new ones made. We have searched out the best information on these costs so you can make an educated decision on a replacement.
The cost of replacing sofa cushions or have new ones made depends on the material and furniture size. For example:
- Cost to replace cushions on a leather loveseat – $250
- Fabric loveseat – $120
- Leather sectional – $750
- Fabric sectional – $360
- Cost to have new cushions made for a leather loveseat – $500
- Fabric loveseat – $300
- Leather sectional – $1,500
- Fabric sectional – $900
Keep in mind that these are just estimates. Prices can vary based on a host of factors. However, the base prices provided above should get you started with a workable budget. You could choose to reupholster your whole couch if the seats aren't the only pieces in need of revitalization. For more advice on knowing when it's time to get a new sofa or what type of repairs will suit you best, read on.
Life Expectancy of a Sofa
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How long your couch is expected to last, you will depend a lot on your lifestyle. For example, if you live alone, your couch will last longer than that of a family of three with a pet dog. The later simply receives more daily wear and tear.
The average life expectancy of a sofa ranges from seven to fifteen years. So, a single person can plan to keep their couch for the full fifteen years, while a family with children and animals might need a replacement after just the seven years. A person who doesn't have children but does keep pets could expect to need a new sofa in about ten or twelve years.
To Replace or to Repair?
So, your sofa is getting on in years. Or perhaps one of your kids left a stain that simply won't come out. How do you decide on your next course of action?
Our advice is to favor repairing damaged cushions if the couch is still less than ten years old. However, if you've had the piece for over a decade, the wiser investment is to look for a replacement. Whether you wish to replace the whole couch or the cushions alone is up to you.
Can You Buy Replacement Cushions for a Couch?
While it is possible to buy replacement cushions for your couch, it's unlikely you'll be able to get them to match your original exactly unless you get them custom made.
If you still want to replace instead of buy custom seats, it's wise to take a sample of your old cushions shopping with you. This can help you match the fabric and feel of the originals as closely as possible.
Of course, you might be looking for a replacement because you like the frame of your couch, but you want to refresh the style a bit. In that case, feel free to experiment with something funky and new. Just make sure your replacement cushions complement the color and style of the base.
Cost of Replacing Sofa Cushions
If you decide to go the replacement route, there are a few things that will affect the cost of your new cushions. For the most part, the type of fabric and the type of filler have the greatest impact on the price. Keep in mind that leather cushions with memory foam filling are the most durable.
On the flip side, fabric tends to be more affordable, and the diversity of options means you can still find heavy-duty materials.
Where Can You Get Custom-Made Couch Cushions?
Even though it can be costly to replace your sofa cushions, the upside is that you can shop around to find the best place for you.
FoamOrder.com is an accessible site that handles indoor and outdoor furniture. If you know the type of fabric used on your original couch, you can point them in that direction.
FoamFactory allows you to enter the dimensions of your sofa cushions and then provides you a quote based on how many custom seats you need.
Finally, Cushion Source provides custom cushions for everything from sofas to window seats.
You can also consider doing a quick search for local services. Finding something in your neighborhood can cut down on shipping costs.
Are you still feeling overwhelmed? For more help determining how to match new cushions to your base sofa best, take a look at our breakdown of the 25 different colors of leather.
When Is it Worth it to Repair?
Repairing your sofa cushions might be the choice for you if there are only a few problem areas you want to cover up, like a burn mark or small gash.
Otherwise, if you have a more severe problem, like loss of shape, or if sitting has become uncomfortable, it's probably best to purchase replacement cushions.
How Much Does it Cost to Reupholster a Sofa Cushion?
Much like paying for replacement cushions, the cost of reupholstering your sofa depends a lot on the material. Leather tends to be more expensive than fabric, and larger couches cost more than two-seat pieces.
Reupholstering a three-seat sofa might cost you anywhere from one to three thousand dollars, with the price being inflated if you decide to get the cushions refilled, as well.
DIY Replacement Cushions
If you're having trouble parsing through all your options, don't worry. You can construct a replacement cushion right from the comfort of your home. All you need is the filling and the cover.
Filling Options
Are you looking to replace each seat of your couch individually? You can purchase the foam in the dimensions you need.
Of course, you can simplify things by picking bench-style seating instead.
And if you like a bit of a firmer touch to your sofa, consider the following.
Covers
For a soft, cotton type feel, check out these covers. They're available in several different colors so you can match them easily to your couch.
If you're feeling whimsical or like a bit more texture to your sofa cushions, consider this velvety fabric instead.
New Couch Upkeep
To avoid having to replace or repair your sofa cushions often, you can provide regular care for your couch. For example, treating stains as soon as they appear keeps your piece looking new for longer. Keeping pets off your sofa also helps, of course.
How Do I Keep My Couch Cushions from Sinking?
One of the most pervasive problems people run into with their old sofas is the deflation of the cushions. The best way to counteract this sinking is to rotate the pads with regularity. This can mean flipping them over, as well as switching out their place on the sofa.
If you have a problem with sliding cushions, check out our solutions to that problem here.
How Often Should You Replace Sofa Cushions?
The unfortunate truth is that, even if you actively maintain your sofa, it'll still need to be replaced eventually. You can, of course, put this off by switching out the cushions a few times before you need to replace the frame.
Foam-filled seats that have been properly rotated can last up to ten years in prime condition. On the other hand, down-filling tends to lose its firmness faster. Consider replacing these cushions every four or five years to maintain the cozy, sitting-on-air feeling.